18.6.12

Just north
of the main entrance to the Sorbonne university and south of the medieval
building and museum “Hôtel de Cluny” and what remains of the Roman Baths (see
previous post), is a small park, called Square Paul Painlevé. (Paul Painlevé,
1863-1933, was a French scientist and politician.)

The square
was originally created in 1900 and 100 years later remodeled in a medieval
style, basically because of the types of plants and flowers chosen.

There are a
number of monuments, including a copy of the famous Capitolian (She-)Wolf,
given by Rome a few years (1962) after Paris and Rome were “twinned” in 1956.
Rome is actually the only city with which Paris is twinned ("Solo Parigi è degna di Roma; solo Roma è degna di Parigi"). I don’t know what Paris offered to Rome.

Another monument is dedicated to Puvis de Chavannes (1824-98), a major painter, who e.g. decorated part of the Paris City Hall (seee previous posts) and is represented by a number of paintings at the Orsay museum (see previous post).

A third monument and fountain is erected in honour of Octave Gréard (1828-1904), who was an eminent member of the Sorbonne University and initiated secondary education for girls.

If you look for fresh drinking water, there is a small model of the Wallace Fountains (see previous posts, here and here).

... and just outside the little park, in front of the Sorbonne University offocial entrance is a statue of Michel de Montaigne (1533-92), a statesman and author, probably one of the most influential Renaissance writers. His "Essays" established a new literary form. The sculptor is Paul Landowski (1896-1961), perhaps most well-known for Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro (and present at several places in Paris, see e.g. here, here and here). Originally in marble, the statue is now in bronze in order to better resist against some students' practical jokes ... and their habit to touch his shoe, which is supposed to bring examination luck.

You may take this post as an introduction to what probably will be next one, about the Sorbonne University. We can see the main entrance behind the trees on the top picture.

What a fascinating and informative post and I cannot wait to include this in my next trip to Paris. I read, "When I am playing with my cat, how do I know he is not playing with me"(it is about the life of Michel de Monagne) The bloggers "Hattatt" Jane and Lance recommended it to me

Correct me if I"m wrong, but I do think I might have visited this little park with Melissa and the children that summer. As we both know, I could be off base but appreciated this nice visit with you Peter.V

This WAS a place we happened to discover during our Left Bank walk -- and I have a photo of Rick rubbing the shoe to prove it! It is a charming park in a lovely area. Cluny is my favorite of the museums, I think.

haha! tnx for this post Peter. ^0^i am still in the process of recollecting my post and i have to admit that blogging management is something i;m not good at! ^0^i was also researching for that gold shoe and read at some web that it's supposed to bring luck like what you've posted! ^0^

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My previous blog, PHO, was in operation for a year as from March 2007. It contains similar posts as this one, basically talking about different well known or more secrete sites in Paris. You can reach it by clicking HERE.